Success idioms

34 success idioms with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

A piece of cake
Something that is a piece of cake is very easy to do.
Best thing since sliced bread
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is an excellent new idea, invention or person that people are very excited about.
Bob's your uncle
Bob's your uncle means "and that's it" or "it's done": you say it after a few easy steps to show how simple something is.
Break the mold
To break the mold is to do something in a new and different way, unlike anything done before.
Brownie points
Brownie points are imaginary credit you earn by doing something that pleases another person, especially someone in charge.
Close but no cigar
Close but no cigar means someone almost succeeded or nearly got the right answer, but not quite.
Cut the mustard
If someone or something cuts the mustard, they are good enough to meet the standard or do what is needed.
Dark horse
A dark horse is a person or team that few people know about but who unexpectedly does well or wins.
Every dog has its day
Every dog has its day means that everyone, even an unlucky or overlooked person, will have a moment of success at some point.
Fit the bill
If something fits the bill, it is exactly what is needed or suitable for a particular purpose.
Flash in the pan
A flash in the pan is someone or something that has a sudden, short success that does not last.
Foregone conclusion
A foregone conclusion is a result that seems certain before it actually happens.
Hands down
Hands down means easily and without question, as in winning hands down or something being hands down the best.
Hit the ground running
To hit the ground running is to start a new job, project or activity quickly and effectively, without needing time to settle in.
Hit the nail on the head
To hit the nail on the head means to describe something exactly right or find the exact cause of a problem.
In the bag
If something is in the bag, its success or the result you want is certain, even before it is officially finished.
Jump on the bandwagon
To jump on the bandwagon is to join an activity, trend or opinion because it has become popular or successful.
No pain, no gain
No pain, no gain means you have to work hard, suffer or make sacrifices to achieve something worthwhile.
On a roll
If you are on a roll, you are having a run of success, with one good result following another.
Pie in the sky
Pie in the sky is an idea, plan or promise that sounds wonderful but is very unlikely to ever happen.
Practice makes perfect
Practice makes perfect means that doing something again and again is the way to become really good at it.
Pull out all the stops
If you pull out all the stops, you make every possible effort and use everything you have to make something succeed.
Push the envelope
To push the envelope is to go beyond the usual limits of what is possible or accepted, trying something new or daring.
Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day means big, important things take time and patience to achieve.
Sink or swim
A sink-or-swim situation is one where you must succeed or fail on your own, with little or no help.
So far so good
So far so good means things have gone well up to now, though the job or situation is not finished yet.
The best of both worlds
The best of both worlds is a situation in which you enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time.
The whole nine yards
The whole nine yards means everything possible, the full amount, or the complete version of something.
The world is your oyster
If the world is your oyster, you have the freedom and chance to do almost anything or go almost anywhere you want.
To a T
If something suits you or is done to a T, it is exactly right, down to the smallest detail.
Up for grabs
If something is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to take it or win it.
Up to snuff
If something is up to snuff, it is good enough and meets the expected standard.
With flying colors
To do something with flying colors means to do it very successfully, often passing a test easily.
Without a hitch
If something goes without a hitch, it happens smoothly, with no problems or delays.

Success idioms

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